The Urim and Thummim in the Semantics of Ancient Hebrew Database

P. Sanders

doi:10.1163/9789004740655_004

The Urim and Thummim in the Semantics of Ancient Hebrew Database

P. Sanders

Old Testament / Judaism

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Academic

Abstract

The Urim and Thummim must have been two or more small objects that played a crucial role in a legitimate oracular procedure that aimed at determining the will of God. In view of the extra-biblical material, part of which came to light only recently, it seems legitimate to conceive the Urim and the Thummim as differently shaped or differently coloured stones or astragali.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	History, Prophecy, Identity and Language in the Hebrew Bible
Subtitle of host publication	Proceedings of the 18th Joint Meeting of the Society for Old Testament Study (sots) and the Oudtestamentisch Werkgezelschap in Nederland en België, Nottingham, 2022
Editors	Hans Ausloos, Charlotte Hempel
Place of Publication	Leiden
Publisher	Brill Academic Publishers
Chapter	3
Pages	31-61
Number of pages	31
Volume	84
ISBN (Electronic)	978-90-04-74065-5
ISBN (Print)	978-90-04-74064-8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004740655_004
Publication status	Published - 29 Jan 2026

Publication series

Name	Oudtestamentische Studiën

Keywords

Divination
cult
semantics
etymology

Access to Document

10.1163/9789004740655_004Licence: Unspecified

Embargoed Document

Urim_Thummim_OTS
Final published version, 757 KB
Licence: Taverne
Embargo ends: 29/07/26

Cite this

Sanders, P. (2026). The Urim and Thummim in the Semantics of Ancient Hebrew Database. In H. Ausloos, & C. Hempel (Eds.), History, Prophecy, Identity and Language in the Hebrew Bible: Proceedings of the 18th Joint Meeting of the Society for Old Testament Study (sots) and the Oudtestamentisch Werkgezelschap in Nederland en België, Nottingham, 2022 (Vol. 84, pp. 31-61). (Oudtestamentische Studiën). Brill Academic Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004740655_004

Sanders, P. / The Urim and Thummim in the Semantics of Ancient Hebrew Database. History, Prophecy, Identity and Language in the Hebrew Bible: Proceedings of the 18th Joint Meeting of the Society for Old Testament Study (sots) and the Oudtestamentisch Werkgezelschap in Nederland en België, Nottingham, 2022. editor / Hans Ausloos ; Charlotte Hempel. Vol. 84 Leiden : Brill Academic Publishers, 2026. pp. 31-61 (Oudtestamentische Studiën).

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Sanders, P 2026, The Urim and Thummim in the Semantics of Ancient Hebrew Database. in H Ausloos & C Hempel (eds), History, Prophecy, Identity and Language in the Hebrew Bible: Proceedings of the 18th Joint Meeting of the Society for Old Testament Study (sots) and the Oudtestamentisch Werkgezelschap in Nederland en België, Nottingham, 2022. vol. 84, Oudtestamentische Studiën, Brill Academic Publishers, Leiden, pp. 31-61. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004740655_004

The Urim and Thummim in the Semantics of Ancient Hebrew Database. / Sanders, P.
History, Prophecy, Identity and Language in the Hebrew Bible: Proceedings of the 18th Joint Meeting of the Society for Old Testament Study (sots) and the Oudtestamentisch Werkgezelschap in Nederland en België, Nottingham, 2022. ed. / Hans Ausloos; Charlotte Hempel. Vol. 84 Leiden: Brill Academic Publishers, 2026. p. 31-61 (Oudtestamentische Studiën).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Academic

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Sanders P. The Urim and Thummim in the Semantics of Ancient Hebrew Database. In Ausloos H, Hempel C, editors, History, Prophecy, Identity and Language in the Hebrew Bible: Proceedings of the 18th Joint Meeting of the Society for Old Testament Study (sots) and the Oudtestamentisch Werkgezelschap in Nederland en België, Nottingham, 2022. Vol. 84. Leiden: Brill Academic Publishers. 2026. p. 31-61. (Oudtestamentische Studiën). doi: 10.1163/9789004740655_004